Fremantle serves Oliver treat to Oz

Ten picks up tab for Brit chef's 'Italian Escape'

CANNES — Fremantle International Distribution, the sales arm of global production outfit FremantleMedia, has licensed “Jamie’s Great Italian Escape,” the latest series from U.K. chef Jamie Oliver, to Oz broadcaster Network Ten.

Deal was unveiled by FID managing director David Ellender Thursday, as the company continued to clock up deals on the penultimate day of the Mipcom sales bazaar.

The new series is due to launch on the network Down Under in the first half of next year. Ten has aired a number of Oliver’s series including “Jamie’s School Dinners,” “Jamie’s Kitchen” and “Oliver’s Twist.” The first, for example, consistently ranked No.1 in its timeslot across all target demos.

Ellender pointed out that Oliver’s “relaxed, innovative and fresh style particularly suits the Australian culture, where a love of cuisine is very prominent.”